Like many of you, 2020 was a rough year. There were heart breaks and cancelled plans, friends moved, jobs changed.…. We all struggled emotionally and physically. It seemed like everything was changing and yet somehow nothing was, all at the same time. I’m not gonna lie, 2021 hasn’t been any better. But the one thing I know I can always count on is sewing. By picking a substrate and sewing it together I can somehow make situations feel better. I can brighten my family’s day and the pressures of the world become lighter. 

 

It’s been a year of trial and growth for sure. Here is a look into my year of Love Notions makes from October 2020-October 2021. 

 

October 2020 – La Bella Donna, Moto Maxx, Breckenridge 

Halloween is a whole family affair. We all love it so much! We always go big for this day so we weren’t going to let Covid keep us from dressing up. Even if we were just staying in. Here we are as our favorite Star wars characters and Love Notions was in the details of every costume worn.

From left to right: Husband and son- robes both made using the Labella Donna hood. My shirt is the La Bella Donna with a modified hemline. My little one in the orange is made entirely from Moto Maxx and my son’s blue poncho also had the La Bella Donna hood. When I need to put a hood on something I often grab my La Bella Donna hood pattern piece. 

La Bella Donna and Moto Max were pretty much the stars of the show this month. I also made my first henley with the release of the Breckenridge Henley. 

 

November 2020 – Tessa

Thanksgiving, and birthdays make this month especially busy. This is when my love affair began with the Tessa Sheath dress. It all started when Keira from the @islansewcialist wrote blog post for Love Notions to show how to make a waist tie for it. I was immediately hooked. I made two in one day. A midi length and knee length.

 

December 2020 – Moto Maxx, Tessa

My youngest had a birthday so a new outfit was necessary. Moto Maxx again to the rescue. Then, of course, I had to make another Tessa dress for Christmas. I sewed another knee length in stretch velvet and gave it some 3/4 length bishop sleeves.

 

January 2021 – Duet Trousers, Cart Wheel, Forte, Men’s Dockside 

This was a super fun and busy month for my Love Notion makes. I made a removable bib to add to some Duet Trousers. I called this creation the Duet Dungarees! I also modified the Cartwheel pattern to make my son and his friend matching shirts.

Then I took over the Love Notions blog and wrote a Valentine’s day post all about the Forte refashion I did. I made a Sybil pencil skirt to pair with it and a Dockside men’s shirt for my husband.

 

February 2021 – Margot, Sybil, Sabrina, Metra

I was due for a matching set and I had some lovely fabric from Minerva I needed to use. The Margot peplum and Sybil skirt  with some added slash pockets was a great choice. I also ended up doing the Metra Blazer pattern test. I made two Metra Blazers along with some pinstripe Sabrina Slims to go with my one of my blazers. It was a month full of matching sets. 

 

March 2021 – Ladies Lotus, Girls Lotus, Boyfriend Cardigan

My only niece on my husband’s side came for a visit this month. To celebrate her arrival, I made her, her mother and I all matching Lotus blossom shirts. It was fun to match some girls for once. 

One of my favorite patterns was due for a size update, The Boyfriend Cardigan.  I helped out with that test and made two. One for me and one for a friend. This pattern is a must have and I adore it.

 

April 2021 – Ballad,  Men’s Dockside

The Ballad was up for testing this month so I signed up for that. I decided to try and do it on a budget so I found some fabric in the discount bin at Walmart and used recycled buttons from my husband’s old shirts. I made two lovely shirts for around $12. It was also my 21st wedding anniversary this month. I figured my husband was overdue for a t-shirt in animal print. I used the Dockside pattern and made him one to match my Sunday romper. We did one of my favorite things: ordered takeout Thai food and stayed home to watched a movie. 

 

May 2021 – Laundry Day, Tessa, Game Day

Since my Ballad Blouses turned out so well, I bought some DBP rolls of fabric from the Walmart discount bin. I made my mom a Mothers day dress with the Laundry Day tee pattern, but lengthened it 4 inches and added pockets. I also made myself a Mother’s Day dress using  the Tessa Sheath dress. I lengthened it 14 inches, added pockets and the same waist tie I used back in November. Then I decided to finally give the Game Day Jersey dress  a try. I hacked it by adding 1 inch ponte roma stripes to the bottom and sleeves.

 

June 2021 – Sunday Romper, Allegro, Kayak, Lyric

Summer months are long and hot so I often want to try new patterns or hack old favorites. I threw together the top from the Sunday romper and the Allegro bottoms to make what I call the Allegro romper. My youngest grew like a weed and needed some shorts so I made him some Kayak board shorts that he promptly bleach dyed. I finished out the month by making my first Lyric Peplum top  and a matching Allegro skirt.

 

July 2021 – Willow Wrap, Sybil, Tempo, Allegro, Octave

We were finally able to take a little vacation. I hurried and mashed together the Willow Wrap dress top and the Sybil Skirt without the waistband to make a cute little wrap dress. I wore it on the beach. This hack also came from Keira @islandsewcialist. 

I came home from vacation feeling renewed and immediately started sewing. First, I mashed the Tempo Sundress with the Allegro Bottoms to make what I call TempOveralls. You can read about that here. I was so happy with how this cute little romper turned out. Since I was feeling so renewed and motivated I also made an Octave coat, but not lined because it was July afterall.

 

August 2021 – Rockford, Samson, Terra Tunic

I had never made my youngest son a Samson Sweater and I had never made myself a Rockford Raglan. So August seemed like the perfect month for that. We got matching ones.

My husband and oldest son started cleaning out their closets. I used that as an opportunity to fabric shop in their donations. I came out with a linen shirt that I upcycled  into a cute Harmony peplum hack you can read abut here and a Spiderman shirt I turned into a Terra Tunic. You can watch a video here for that one.

 

September 2021 – Arlington

This was a slow sewing month. Marching band season started and I became immersed in all of that for my son. The Arlington sweater needed testing and even though it was over 100 degrees for me still, I signed up to test it. I made three and love them so much!, 

 

October 2021 – Octave , Breckenridge 

I still have some sewing to do this month. I plan on making all our Halloween costumes, which will be Loki related. I will most likely use all Love Notions patterns for this again. I did manage to get my Octave Coat lined this month for a takeover I did on Love Notions instagram. That is saved in the highlights on their instagram if you want to check it out. 

I also made another Breckenridge Henley.This time with long sleeves. It’s super soft and I love it. It wasn’t until I was gathering all my pics  that I realized I have made both my Breckenridge Henleys in October.

I branched out and tried 17 patterns I had never made before. I tested 3 patterns and helped with one size update. I was really excited to see that I made at least 10 things for other people using Love Notions Patterns. 

This was a really good exercise for me to sit down and look at all my Love Notions makes for this year. Although I have made quite a few other things that aren’t Love Notions related. It helps me realize just how busy and productive this year has been. I’m glad I have sewing to turn to when times are rough. Hopefully next year at this time I will have many more new experiences and makes to share!

Happy sewing my Friends!

Koe